Winter is the perfect time to explore the Civil War history of Appomattox, Virginia

Winter is a quiet time in Appomattox as our community reflects on a busy autumn and holiday season and prepares for the array of events to come in 2022.  So this is a great time to get to know Appomattox and it’s inherent history by visiting the museums that showcase the events that influenced our lives. Although the actual museum display may be small, the first place we recommend is the Appomattox National Historic Park.  The museum on the second floor of the visitor’s center features artifacts important in the surrender of General Lee to General Grant in April, 1865. You won’t want to miss seeing Lula McLean’s cloth doll that was accidentally left in the parlor of her home during the surrender. Taken as a war-time souvenir, the doll was returned to the park in 1992.

To gain a more thorough understanding of the impact of the Civil War, visit the American Civil War Museum Appomattox.  With a permanent collection on display that shows how lives were impacted by war experience, the current special exhibition is Enacting Freedom: Black Virginians in the age of Emancipation. This exhibit shows how freedom was defined and expanded following the Civil War and how it impacts lives today.